Customer Reviews

Six Decades of the Fender Telecaster: The Story of the World's First Solidbody Electric Guitar

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a representative of the publishers of Tony Bacon's Telecaster book, I felt compelled to respond to EARLES L. MCCAUL's misleading review. It is true that Tony Bacon has written two other Fender books, but 'Six Decades of the Fender Telecaster' is his first to cover a single Fender model. And yes, some information in 'Six Decades' matches some information in one or both of the other two books. But that is because facts are facts, and assuming they were reported correctly in the first place - which they were - there is bound to be some overlap. How many ways can you say that a particular model was launched at such-and-such a time? However, I would point out that there is a great deal of new information in the Telecaster book: in the general story pages, in the photo sections, and in the separate model history. Finally, what Mr McCaul fails to mention is the inclusion in this book of new interview material with such luminaries as Jeff Beck and James Burton.

I read this book with great enthusiasm! It covers The Tele from the very begining up to 2005. With way more information/detail, celebrity players, vintage advertisement (as well as newer instruments) and beautiful photos than any other books printed almost two decades ago!
This is a modern and thorough update to all Tele information. From the Telecaster's inception to the players that made it sing, it's all here in a very high quality format.
If you love the Fender Telecaster and want the details covering six decades of droolworthy photos, specs and interveiws you will love this book!

New interviews with Jeff Beck, Bill Kitchen and other acknowledged masters of the guitar spice a history of the Fender Telecaster which tells of the guitar's long-running popularity and involvement in the music scene. Leo Fender's company and product changed the nature and course of the music world when it introduced the electric Fender Telecaster guitar. SIX DECADES profiles the guitar, its changes, its makers, and its players, packing in ads, photos, and illustrations in full color on nearly every page.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Fantastic book for Fender Telecaster users. This book takes you from the beginning to the present History of Leo Fender and his line of Guitars.
Highly recommended.

There is an amazing amount of info packed in this little book. Should please anyone except for the person looking for highly-technical design minutia. This is not a design book about how to build or reproduce a certain vintage Telecaster, but is a great history balanced with enough technical details to please 90% of those interested in the topic. This is proud Americana at its finest; an inspiring story of the American Dream, of the lone genius making himself rich and creating something still extensively used and recognized in every country and hamlet on earth, that screams "AMERICA" whenever it makes a sound.

First the disclaimer: I do not own a Telecaster nor do I even play guitar. I happen to think that a Telecaster is one of the most beautiful man made objects there is, so I got this book. I enjoyed reading the story of how the guitar was developed and how it evolved. Not being an expert on these matters, I an not comment on any of the technical aspects of Mr. Bacon's work. If you have any fondness for Fender Telecasters or want to learn about a part of rock, pop, and country history, you need this book.

I'm a Tele fan, so I enjoyed this book, but afterwards I felt I would probably not read it again aside from looking at the pictures.

If you are into Fender history per se, this may suit you; to this reader, many times the focus of the story was Leo or Leo's colleagues, or the company, not the Tele. I understand it may be difficult to disentangle the product from the company's fortunes, but after all, the company made fortunes from the product.

I was looking for more hard information on the Telecaster, such as, for example, diagrams showing the wiring changes over the years. If you are looking for hard, detailed information about the Tele... well, maybe another book will bring it to you. On the positive side, there is a useful Reference section at the back of the book, but even that is a bit general. Perhaps the author prefers Stratocasters?

As a Telecaster fan, I'm glad to have a copy, but overall, it strikes me as a commissioned coffee table book to read while waiting for something else to happen.

I like Tony Bacon's guitar books. Plenty of colour photos. History, images. Highly recommended to Tele enthusiasts!

I just finished reading the Kindle version of this book. It was very informative and thoroughly researched but I dont think Ive ever read a book with so many typos
and grammatical errors, was there no one available to proof read it? hard core fans Im sure will work their way around it but it just feels like someone accidentally
sent the rough draft to the printer.

This is now another of many guitar books I own and am glad to have. They arent 'necessary' but they do bring their own peculiar satisfaction. This one is well made and contains nice pics and an easy layout. To me guitar books are mostly just little tokens of appreciation for the instrument, and this one does the job nicely. The strat and tele deserve such recognition ..they became positive icons during my lifetime, and will probably endure as long as their are people. And electricity. Its a good book. No complaints.

..oh, and do a youtube search of the famous telly players. its a trip!